Relief: James Horwill says he is delighted to have been cleared (Picture: Getty)

Australia captain James Horwill says he has been ‘vindicated’ after being cleared of a stamp on British and Irish Lions star Alun-Wyn Jones.

Horwill had been in hot water after allegedly stamping on Welshman Jones during the first Test in Brisbane, and had been sweating on his place ahead of the deciding showdown with the Lions at the weekend.

But after an anxious 14-and-a-half-hour wait, in which Horwill says he was unable to sleep, he was eventually cleared to take part in the crunch match by the International Rugby Board.

’I am very relieved,’ the Wallabies ace said.

‘The hearings I’ve been involved in are fair. I was confident because I know what happened and I’m glad the right result was made in the end.

‘I love what I do and it means a hell of a lot to me to lead my country in what is probably the biggest game since the World Cup final in 2003.

‘I’m very excited by the opportunity and now we can focus on the game, which is what’s important.

‘Other than not getting much sleep, it hasn’t caused any disruption. I’ve just gone on with it, that’s the reality of what we do.

‘I feel very vindicated by the ruling.’

The decision is the second time Horwill has been cleared over the incident, after the IRB appealed the original verdict to clear him.

Horwill’s inclusion in the Australia side for the final Test should prove to be a psychological plus point – the 28-year-old is an inspirational figure in his homeland, and despite the disruption, he will go straight into the side for the clash in Sydney on Sunday.